Coroner's Finding: NIXON Viola Daphne
Deceased
Viola Daphne Nixon
Demographics
92y, female
Date of death
2018-10-27
Finding date
2020-11-02
Cause of death
decompensated congestive cardiac failure secondary to haemophilus influenzae lower respiratory tract infection
AI-generated summary
A 92-year-old woman with dementia, heart disease, and COPD died from decompensated congestive cardiac failure secondary to haemophilus influenzae lower respiratory tract infection. She was admitted to psychiatric care under an Inpatient Treatment Order due to severe dementia-related behavioural disturbance and medication non-compliance. The coroner found her detention and treatment appropriate. She developed a respiratory infection mid-October, became increasingly unwell, and the clinical team appropriately shifted to comfort care after discussion with her daughter. She died peacefully on the ward. No clinical errors or preventable factors were identified. The case highlights the challenge of managing severe dementia-related behaviour in acute psychiatric settings and the importance of early palliative care discussions when patients are seriously ill.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- haemophilus influenzae lower respiratory tract infection
- underlying cardiac disease
- advanced age
- dementia
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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